raymond d. cripe

He was born March 10, 1941, in Goshen to Ruby Jeanette (Musselman) Aust and Othello “Pete” Cripe.

He married Sandra “Sandy” McDonald on March 11, 1962, at Zion United Church of Christ in Millersburg.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra of Goshen; a daughter, Stephanie (Wallace) Brown of Goshen; and four sons, Jeff (Teresa) Cripe of Ligonier, Jack (Nikki) Cripe of Goshen, Jason Cripe of Wawaka and Judd (Shannon) Cripe of Goshen. Nine grandchildren are surviving, Ren (Carlie) Cripe of Topeka, Molly (Isaiah) Velazquez of Topeka, Brett Seward of Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden, Sophie Brown of the University of South Florida in Tampa, Haley, Dalton and Brady Cripe, all of Goshen, and Colten and Austin Cripe, both of Goshen. Mr. Cripe is also survived by five cousins, Bob Musselman of Bloomington, Dick Musselman of Trinity, Fla., Terry Musselman of Milford, Denny Musselman of Roswell, Ga., and Ron Green of Middlebury. His brother-in-law, Lyle Burtsfield of Goshen, also survives.

Ray was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Burtsfield; a stepsister, Katha Clanton; and two cousins, Bonnie Pfiester and Diane Mulholland.

Mr. Cripe graduated from Millersburg High School in 1959. He attended Fort Wayne Business College. Ray was employed by Speicher Tool & Die in Topeka. He was in farming in Noble County from 1970-84, during which time he received the Outstanding Young Farmer Award in Noble County in 1976. He was employed at Fidler Ready Mix for 10 years. He was a sales representative for Eagle Ready Mix from 1991- 2010 and Aggregate Industries from 2010-13.

He was a member of Ligonier United Methodist Church, where he served as a trustee, youth leader and volunteered in work camps in Tennesse, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. He was a member of the Fairfield School Board from 1968-72, past member and former president of Millersburg Lions Club, and he volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and the West End Café in Ligonier.

He enjoyed bicycling, woodworking, gardening, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.

There will be a time of visitation with the family on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ligonier United Methodist Church, The Mount.

A memorial service in his honor will be Saturday Oct. 12, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Ligonier United Methodist Church, The Mount. Pastors Byron and Candy Kaiser will officiate. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be given to Ligonier United Methodist Church Memorial Fund 466 Townline Road, P.O. Box 66, Ligonier, IN 46767.

The family wishes to thank the IU Health Goshen Center for Cancer Care staff and special nurses, Shelly and Shannon.

He lived his purpose in life: “From what we get, we can make a living. What we give, however, makes a life.” Arthur Ashe.

His last act of giving was his corneas to the Indiana Lion’s Club Eye Bank.

Yeager Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.yeagerfuneralhome.com.